"And I'll just go for it."
I had one of those experiences with Simon last night on our way to the swimming pool reminding me once again that he is just downright awesome.
Drive-through McDonald's is one of our things. We go through a pretty stable routine each time: ordering a Happy Meal for the toy (especially Kung Fu Panda toys - he and Chris saw the movie last weekend) and chicken nuggets; talking about the number one window + the number two window; choosing between OJ, chocolate milk, or the occasional Sierra Mist.
Let me step back a minute and preface this by saying we have been having some major food battles lately. I hate the word battle because that implies a winner and a loser...our goal is to get him to try something new at each meal and take one very small bite as a "no thank you" bite (along with getting some variety into his diet). Trust me, it has been one of the biggest challenges in our experience as parents.
Back to last night and the story at hand. I put in the regular order for a Happy Meal with chicken nuggets. After pulling out and heading down the road I hand the box back to him and he pulls out a cheeseburger. On past adventures this could have resulted in a major upset (or me simply turning around and going back to McDonald's to correct our order). I see the burger in the rearview mirror as I am checking the clock to see how much time we have to make it to the pool before the "sorry we are full" sign goes up. In the span of seconds I am wondering to myself which is going to be worse: not getting the expected chicken nuggets or not getting to swim?
But he didn't freak out.
"Hey, here's a hamburger," he said and started to pass it to me. No whining. No crying. No freaking out.
Somehow I managed to say, "How about trying that cheeseburger tonight?" I braced a bit as I waited for the issue to escalate.
He simply said, "Okay."
It was an "okay" in a super cheerful manner that demonstrated no indication of ever having issues with different foods. At that point I should have just pulled over and did the craziest celebration dance possible that he was even okay with the idea of opening the package let alone take a bite.
I tried super hard not to make a big deal about. "That sounds like a plan," I said as I peeked into the rear-view mirror to see if he was really going to actually for real take a bite. And he did. No big deal. No fanfare. No saying "this is gross." No protesting. Just a little nibble bite along the edge and then he set it back down on the plastic wrapper in his lap.
"Did you like it?" I asked?
"I did."
In my head I was freaking out. Holy cow this could be it. This could be the breakthrough we have been hoping for and working towards related to not making a huge deal out of trying a new food.
"Are you going to eat some more?"
"Yes. I like hamburgers."
We drove along and he munched on his french fries amidst telling me stories about the Higglytown Heroes episode he had been watching on the computer before leaving for the pool.
"Are you going to eat any more hamburger?" I asked as we continued on our way.
"Yes, I'll just go for it."
In reality he didn't even hit the meat, cheese, ketchup or anything except the bun.
But man, what a great start.
Go for it, Simon, go for it.
That is great!!! Not to sound like a wimp but after reading you entry there was al ittle tear in my eye. We are going through a hard time right now with our 6 yrold. He has also been a terrible eater but has gotten increasingly worse to the point were we thought he was not gaining.And finally the md listened to me and said yes he does look like he is laking calories.So after blood work we are waiting to see if he has a absorbtion problem. but in the mean time we have to add alot of calories. example pedisure, whole milk, whole cheese. the food log is helping. I will be sure to tell him about Simon's saying"just go for it"
Have a great day!!!!
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We have always had the one bite rule. My 'kids' are 26 and almost 23 now and they will still try one bite to see if they like it yet! They have become very adventurous eaters over the years. Keep up the good work...
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very awesome, i'm doing the happy dance for you guys. it just makes my heart happy to watch simon's progress!
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Wow...I just got goosebumps reading that Ali.
What a wonderful story.
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What a wonderful breakthrough! I'm so happy for your family.
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job very well done, Simon and Ali. I believe lots of your successes with Simon can be contributed to your calmness and letting Simon lead. Sometimes it is best just to sit back and watch. Amazing stuff can happen then.
Our son has Autism and has never had food issues, but rather sound issues(too loud, too high pitch, etc) I'm right there with the happy dance on those small victories.
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As the parent of TWO extremely picky children - I alert Simon! LOL I absolutely KNOW how very huge that is.
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I swear I typed "salute" Simon and Not "alert". LOL No idea where my brain was on that one. LOL
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I have a six year old son too. And he is the pickiest eater!!! So I totally get your joy. My son will not eat any pasta, not even mac and cheese. What kid doesn't eat mac and cheese??? I love that you share your life and stories with us. I started following you thru scrapbooking, but now I follow for the pure joy of the stories you share and inspiration you give. Thank you so much!!!!!
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You know, this made my day too. My son is 12 and we have had food "issues" from the first day he ate solid food.
I have never had him officailly diagnosed with Autisim but he meets more than half of the markers. Freak outs over change in the norm, are our biggest dilemna.
My heart goes out to you~It's the small victories that seem to bring the greatest joy!
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wow! This is just great for you guys! Your little (for you big) story made my day! It really cheered me up and gave me a great positive warm feeling! :)
Way to go, Simon!
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That gave me tears, Ali! Go Simon! What a great breakthrough! Having a daughter who has her own struggles, when she hurdles one of them, even in a small way, I burst open with joy as a mom. I'm so happy for Simon. Very, very cool!
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Wow, I can see how that would be really exciting! =)
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YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel you, girl!! My 6 YO aspie recently got turned on to cheeseburgers. WOW, is that a great feeling! Adding ANYTHING to her narrow narrow diet is a huge step forward. Now if I can just get my 4 yo autist to eat fish sticks we'd be in paradise! :)
I Know what that happy dance on the inside while trying to be cool on the outside feels like!
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My almost 7-year-old grandson has autism and has always been a very picky eater. He eats well if you serve him what he likes, but his diet is very limited. Asking him to even try something, take one bite and see if he likes it, can result in that bite coming back up along with the whole rest of his meal. He is in summer camp now and for the first time the camp he is in serves lunch. I asked him the other day what they had for lunch, as I was worried he wouldn't touch what they had, and he said "A sandwich and carrots. They were good!" Things we could never get him to eat, but in the company of other children who were eating, he just went along and even said he had green beans yesterday! We are doing a happy dance around here as well!
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Great story!! Good for him! We can all learn to "Just Go For It" more often.
Laura
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Woooo Hoooo! Go Simon! Girl this is so awesome!!!! I'm so happy for you guys...for him!!!!! Have a wonderful day girl and enjoy this Fathers Day weekend ^-----^
-Karla
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That story actually brought tears to my eyes because I am going through the exact same thing with my little girl. I can totally relate. Good for you Simon!
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i know this is a huge step for ya'll. as i've mentioned before my nephew has this same challenge. i am so very happy for you all!
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Way to go Simon!!! (insert doing the "dance" from Evan Almighty here:)).... What a HUGE HUGE step!!!!
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wow. what a testimony for that phrase, There is more to me than you see! (or something like that...) bravo, Simon, bravo Ali! go go Simon, you go forth and never let anything limit you and what you have to give!!!
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Yay Simon! Yay Ali! Small victories: as they grow, we watch in amazement. The unthinkable (in our minds anyway) happens, and they roll with it, as if they'd ALWAYS eaten hamburgers. And you just watch - there'll be lots more "I'll just go for it" moments in the near future. Way to go!
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That is FABULOUS!! My son is a horribly picky eater, he'll like something one day, and hate it the next; and those days he'll eat what's put in front of him feel like the best days ever!! It's a freeing feeling to not feel like you're battling about food!
GO Simon, you ROCK!!
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YES!! Way to go Simon!! Shanie :)
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Yah for you all!!! Brody is the same with food - and heaven for bid that panic moment when you realize they screwed up the order and yah for small miracles when they do exactly what you don't expect them to do. Baby steps - and such great progress!! Yah!!! We are happy with the new foods, with slow intro of actually accepting them on the plate first - and not making a big deal!!
Have a great day!!
Nicky
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